Hull having pivotal hull units



May 29, 1956 L. E. RUSSELL HULL HAVING PIVOTAL HULL UNITS 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed May 21, 1952 FIG. 3

OF BOAT FIG.5

FIG. 4

INVENTOR. Lmus E. Russzu.

y 29, 1956 L. E. RUSSELL 2,747,536

HULL HAVING PIVOTAL HULL. UNITS Filed May 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

Lmus E. Russzu.

BMUMM United States Patent 6 HULL HAVING PIVOTAL HULL UNITS Linus E.Russell, Springfield, Ohio, assignor to Peters & Russell, Inc.,Springfield, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 21, 1952,Serial No. 289,043

1 Claim. (Cl. 114-77) This invention relates to boat construction, andmore particularly to the adaptation, use and method of removablyinstalling in a boat a power package unit including the engine, drivemechanism, drive shaft and propeller all mounted as a unit in acontainer or housing, which when placed in proper position in the boathull becomes a part thereof.

Thus, the object of the invention is to simplify the construction aswell as the method of assembly of boats and their power drive mechanism,whereby such boats may not only be economically manufactured but will bemore efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety ofuses, having relatively few parts and be relatively easy to overhaul.

A further object of the invention is to provide a complete power packagefor installation in a boat hull.

A further object of the invention is to provide a boat hull in which acomplete packaged power unit may be easily installed and removed whennecessary for overhaul.

A further object of the invention is to provide an installationstructure which permits the package drive units to be raised or loweredrelative to the boat hull.

A further object of the invention is to provide an enclosure for thedrive unit which when installed in the hull becomes a part thereofwithout decreasing the efficiency or destroying the design of the hull.

A further object of the invention is to provide a boat possessing theadvantageous features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and theparticular features of advantage herein enumerated.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will morefully appear in the specification, the invention intended to beprotected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction,the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, ashereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, ortheir equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown one, butobviously not the only embodiment of the invention,

Fig. l is a view of the starboard side of a boat embodying one form ofthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a different embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view substantially on line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Patented May 29, 1956 Fig. 9 is a detail fragmentary view of a portionof the structure shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a detail fragmentary view of a modified form of the structureshown in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

The present invention contemplates the provision of an integrated orpackage power unit which may be installed in or removed from a boat hullas an entity. Such power unit or package includes the engine, or powersource, the necessary transmission or reduction unit, and also the driveshaft interconnecting the power source with the propeller which drivesthe boat. A mounting or enclosure is provided within which the engineand transmission are fixedly mounted, the propeller being mountedexteriorly thereof upon the propeller shaft which extends through theenclosure.

In order to accommodate the integrated power unit, the hull of the boatis provided with one or more recesses therein within which the powerunit is suspended. The enclosure of the power unit is so designed andshaped that a portion thereof merges with the contour of the hull andforms a continuation thereof, while a further portion of the enclosureprojects downwardly from the contour of the hull to provide astreamlined support for the propeller and propeller shaft which ofcourse is mounted beneath the general contour of the hull.

While it is recognized that such downwardly projecting blisters ornacelles are not new per se, it is thought that the removability thereoftogether with the provision of an integrated power unit which may bebodily moved relative to the hull is not only new but of considerableadvantage. Such construction not only simplifies the manufacture of theboat, but greatly facilitates the servicing thereof when it is necessaryto service the propeller or associated power driving mechanism.

Turning to Fig. l of the drawings there is shown therein one adaptationof the invention. A boat, generally shown as at 1, is provided with anoutboard mounted integrated power unit 2. While a single centrallymounted power unit 2 may be employed, there is shown a construction inwhich two power units are used, the units being mounted on oppositesides of the hull. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing only one of thetwo power units, while Fig. 3 shows two power units.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hull proper, the outside of which isrepresented by the side 3, is recessed adjacent the stern of the boatand provided with upstanding walls 4 and 5. A cut-away portion isthereby provided within which an integrated power unit 2 is mounted. Thewall 4, forming the rear wall of the hull proper adjacent the power unit2 has re-entrant recesses 6 therein, the intermediate portion 7 thereofproviding a mounting for a trunnion bar 8. The forward wall of the powerunit is provided with a pair of trunnion arms 10 for pivotal engagementwith the bar 8.

The integrated power unit 2 is generally rectangular in shape, theforward wall 9 thereof carrying a pair of trunnion arms 10 for pivotalengagement with the bar 8. Outer wall 11 of the power unit 2 follows thegeneral contour of the hull 3 while inner wall 12 of the unit lies inparallel closely adjacent relation to wall 5 of the hull. The unit isclosed by a rear or stern wall 13, which follows and merges with thegeneral contour of the stern wall 14 of the hull. The bottom 15 of thepower unit 2 generally follows the contour of the botom 16 of the hull,but has extending downwardly therefrom a streamlined projection 17. Thisdownwardly extending projection 17 permits proper mounting of the engineand associated mechanism so that the propeller shaft 18 may project fromthe extension for proper mounting and support of the propeller 19.

Arranged along the parallel adjacent walls 12 and 4119' of the hull andpower unit are a plurality of intereugaging members 26 and 21, carriedby the hull and powerunit respectively. Such members when engaged locatethe power unit in proper position relative to the hull and preventrelative shifting thereof. The members 2t 21 may, however, be releasedthereby permitting movement of the power unit 2 relative to a hull. Asshown in Fig. l, a hydraulic cylinder and piston unit 22 is mounted incooperative relation with the hull and power unit, whereby uponapplication of hydraulic pressure thereto the power unit is caused toswing upwardly about trunnion bar 8.

The structure shown in- Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, is particularly welladapted for use in the construction of landing craft and similar vesselswhich are likely to be used in shallow waters or run upon beaches. Asthe vessel approaches the beach or shallow water, the members 2B21- arereleased and the'hydraulic cylinder 22 energized to lift the power unit-2 up or out of the water. Damage to the propeller and drive mechanism isthereby obviated. 7

While the walls 45 of the hull which surround the power unit 2; arewater tight to prevent the entrance of water into the hull, additionalseals or gaskets similar to those shown in Fig. 6 may be employedintermediate the walls 5I2 and 49 to prevent entrance of water therebetween.

Figs. 4 to 8 disclose a modification of the integrated power unit andits support which provides for an inboard location of the power unit.Referring to Fig. 5, the bottom 36 of the hull is provided with asubstantially rectangular recess immediately adjacent the stem ortransom 38 of the hull. Again, there are preferably two such recesseslocated. in oppositely spaced relation with the keel, thereby providingmountings for two power units. A transverse bulkhead 32 is located inthe hull bounding the forward margin of the recess, while longitudinalwalls 33 with transversely extending flanges 34 are provided in the hullalong the side margins of the recess. The walls 33, and if desired, thebulkhead 32, are braced with reinforcing members 35, so as to provide arigid framework upon which the power unit is mounted.

The upstanding walls 33, bulkhead 32 and transom 31 provide a completelywalled opening or trunk in which the power unit is suspended inoperative position. The power unit, generally designated as 36, issubstantially the same as the power unit 2 of Fig. l in that it isgenerally rectangular in shape, having forward and rear walls 37 and 38,respectively, side walls 39, and a bottom wall comprising the portions49 which merge with and form a continuation of the hull bottom and adownwardly extending streamlined projection 4'1. As in the Fig. 1structure, the projection 41 encloses the inclined drive shaft,transmission and power source, and provides the support for thepropeller shaft 42 which extends therethrough to mount the propeller 43.

The power unit 36 is made rigid by the use of interior braces 44 whichengage the side walls 32 and longitudinal rails 45 upon which the powermechanism is mounted. The side wallsv 3.9 are provided with transverselyextending flanges 46 in vertical alignment with flanges 34 of the trunk.When mounted, the power unit 36 is suspended by engagement of theflanges 3446 and is secured in mounted position by a plurality of bolts47.

To seal the trunk against the entrance of water intermediate the trunkand power unit, a strip of rubber 48 is interposed between the flanges3446 and similar strips of rubber are interposed between the side walls33 39 intermediate the trunk and the power unit.

Fig. 9 shows in detail the manner of sealing the end 4 walls 3.7 38. ofthe. power unit. Only one end is shown, namely the rear Wall 38, sincethe seal between forward wall 37 and bulkhead 32 is identical inconstruction. The rear wall 38 of the power unit, which in eifectbecomes the continuation of the transom or stern 31 of thehull, has aninturned flange 50 thereon. Resting on the top of the flange 59 is anL-shaped molded rubber gasket 51, the vertical leg of which restsagainst the stern or transom 31 of the hull. Resting on the horizontalleg of the gasket is a bar 52 which when pulled into squeezing contactwith the gasket under influence of the bolts 53 passing through flange5t), forces the gasket 51 outwardly into tight seaiing engagement withthe transom 31. The assembly on the forward wall 37 is the same exceptthat it is reversed with respect to the disclosure of Fig. 7, with thebulkhead 32 taking the place of the transom 31, and the front wall 37taking the place of rear wall 38.

A further modification is shown in Fig. 10, wherein means are shownwhich permit the pivotal mounting of the power unit 36 of Figs. 4 to 8much the same as is shown in Fig. 1. In this construction the bulkhead32 is provided with cars 54 located adjacent ears 55 carried by sidewalls 39 of the power unit. A pintle pin 56 passes through the ears55--56 providing a pivotal mounting for the power unit as does the bar 8in Fig. l.

The structure of Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, is designed primarily topermit the unit installation and withdrawal of the power drivemechanism. With the type of installation shown in Fig. 4, after removalof bolts 47, the entire power units is lifted from the trunk by anoverhead hoist for example. With the pivotal connection shown in Fig.10, the power unit is swung about the pivot pin 56 by means of anoverhead hoist. In connection with the pivotal movement of the powerunit, such unit is so designed that the lower extremity of the rear wall38 thereof will clear the bottom of the transom 31 of the hull.

The hydraulic cylinder 22 of Fig. 1, may if desired, be incorporated inthe Fig. 10 type of construction, whereupon the power unit 36. may bepivoted upwardly without the need of an overhead hoist.

,, The use of an integrated power unit, such as the units 2 or 36,permits easy withdrawal and insertion of such mechanism in the hull ofthe boat. it is of considerable advantage in the servicing of boats andpermits complete replacement of the power unit simply and rapidly,should such replacement be necessary.

The same concept of an integrated power mechanism is applicable to largeboats with but slight change in structure. In larger hulls theremovability feature of the power nacellc is not as necessary and maytherefore be omitted. The formation of the integral one-piece hull iscomparable to that produced by the use of the removable power nacellewhich permits the close coupling of the engine, transmission andpropeller unit. Such units are mounted adjacent the stern of the hull,the hull being formed with a streamlined downwardly extending projectioncomparable to the projection 17-41 for accommodation of the powermechanism. While such construction embodies an integral hull unit, theavailability of the power mechanism for service, and the close couplingof the power mechanism are retained.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail con struction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invenstructure formingmeans for pivoting each of the power tion into effect. unitsindependently. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A propeller driven boat including a hull structure hav- Referelmes CitedIn the file of thls I3atent ing recesses on each side of the hull at thestern thereof, 5 O G AT TS a package power unit including power supplymeans and an enclosure for the power supply means forming a congiz t#2:? ii tinuation of the hull across said recess, each of said power314095 Ge 3 a 1 a n 1919 units being pivotally supported adjacent itsforward end 410400 2 3;: 1925 on the hull structure, a piston andcylinder arrangement 10 500,822 Great Britain Feb- 16 1939 connected toeach of the power units and to the hull

